Southwestern Mountain Lion Chili with Black Beans
A hearty chili featuring mountain lion meat simmered with black beans, tomatoes, and southwestern spices, perfect for a comforting and protein-packed meal. This american-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground mountain lion meat, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground mountain lion meat
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped for garnish fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 1 medium diced red bell pepper, sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 2 tbsp chili powder, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute stirring to toast the spices.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground mountain lion meat, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, and 1 cup beef broth.
- Step 5: Season with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring the chili to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cover. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld.
- Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Southwestern Mountain Lion Chili with Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Southwestern Mountain Lion Chili with Black Beans?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground mountain lion meat from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Southwestern Mountain Lion Chili with Black Beans?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Southwestern Mountain Lion Chili with Black Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Southwestern Mountain Lion Chili with Black Beans?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
